Product Description

Obedient daughter Judith Graber feels overlooked and underappreciated working at her family's store this holiday season. That is until her father hires Ben Knox. Two years ago Ben left Sugarcreek under a cloud of shame and rumors. Now he's back and working beside Judith. Will Christmas bring new beginnings---and love---for this unlikely pair?

Publisher's Description

Judith Graber has always been the obedient daughter. Over the years, she's taken care of her younger siblings, helped around the house, and worked in her family's store. But now Judith feels overworked, overlooked, and underappreciated, especially as the holiday season approaches.

Everything changes when her father hires Ben Knox.

Ben Knox is the "bad boy" of Sugarcreek. Two years ago he left town under a cloud of shame. Rumors circulated that his rumspringa had been filled with more than the usual harmless explorations.

Sparks fly between Ben and Judith. But the last thing Judith wants to be is one more girl who falls under Ben's spell—while Ben wants Judith to realize there's more to him than his reputation. Could this Christmas season bring love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?

Author Bio

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Editorial Reviews

“[A] feel-good winner.”
“An Amish community backdrop adds homespun sweetness, with a focus on simplicity and family that’s never heavy-handed...new readers will have no trouble starting the series here.”
“A story of love and forgiveness, Gray paints a stirring picture of Christmas time and the magic it can have on people.”
“A sweet, straightforward story about how love can be tested by family, faith, and personal insecurity. Enjoyable and heartwarming.”

This was such an enjoyable read!. I found it hard to put the book down. The citizens of Sugarcreek have become very dear to me in this series. I loved the fact this one had two romances. I also loved the Spiritual thread that ran through this book. Shelley did another great job with this book.

Judith Graber always did the right thing. She couldn't be described as anything less than dutiful. When she was attracted to Ben Knox she couldn't believe it herself.

Before Ben Knox left Sugarcreek, he did everything for shock value. He had a reputation for always getting into trouble. He had returned to sell his parent's home. He was a little older and not fully living up to his reputation. He was also very attracted to Judith.

Lilly and Robert Miller were newly converted Mennonites as well as newlyweds. Lilly was afraid that Robert thought he made a mistake in marrying her.

Caleb, Judith's younger brother, was smitten with Becca Yoder. But Becca was holding herself back for some reason.

As each couple's story unfolds, we get to see their hang-ups. Their problems are all realistic and relatable. All the characters wanted to belong to someone, somewhere, or something. For example, Judith wanted a love in her life. Lilly wanted to be the best wife she could be. Robert wanted his family to accept his conversion. Some questioned if they could show their true feelings or true self and still be accepted.

When writing this story Shelley Shepard Gray used the Bible verse John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, `I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" Everyone can either be a light for someone else or get light from someone else. The light is Jesus. We can either tell others about the saving grace of Jesus or see Jesus and the hope and goodness He has to offer in others. We will then no longer walk in the darkness of sin if we accept Him. Ben had walked in darkness much of his life. It wasn't until Ben returned to Sugarcreek that he began to see a break in the clouds and some light shining through.

I enjoyed this story. Slowly each character began to grow as their story unfolded. It wasn't difficult to keep track of the characters and their situations. The romance is interesting because there is puppy love, married love, and a resisting of love all going on. This is a short holiday story that you'll be glad you picked up.

I received a free copy of this book From The Christian Manifesto and Avon Inspire in exchange for my honest review.

Judith Graber always did the right thing. She couldn't be described as anything less than dutiful. When she was attracted to Ben Knox she couldn't believe it herself.

Before Ben Knox left Sugarcreek, he did everything for shock value. He had a reputation for always getting into trouble. He had returned to sell his parent's home. He was a little older and not fully living up to his reputation. He was also very attracted to Judith.

Lilly and Robert Miller were newly converted Mennonites as well as newlyweds. Lilly was afraid that Robert thought he made a mistake in marrying her.

Caleb, Judith's younger brother, was smitten with Becca Yoder. But Becca was holding herself back for some reason.

As each couple's story unfolds, we get to see their hang-ups. Their problems are all realistic and relatable. All the characters wanted to belong to someone, somewhere, or something. For example, Judith wanted a love in her life. Lilly wanted to be the best wife she could be. Robert wanted his family to accept his conversion. Some questioned if they could show their true feelings or true self and still be accepted.

When writing this story Shelley Shepard Gray used the Bible verse John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, â€˜I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" Everyone can either be a light for someone else or get light from someone else. The light is Jesus. We can either tell others about the saving grace of Jesus or see Jesus and the hope and goodness He has to offer in others. We will then no longer walk in the darkness of sin if we accept Him. Ben had walked in darkness much of his life. It wasn't until Ben returned to Sugarcreek that he began to see a break in the clouds and some light shining through.

I enjoyed this story. Slowly each character began to grow as their story unfolded. It wasn't difficult to keep track of the characters and their situations. The romance is interesting because there is puppy love, married love, and a resisting of love all going on. This is a short holiday story that you'll be glad you picked up.

I received a free copy of this book From The Christian Manifesto and Avon Inspire in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy ready stories about the Amish. We travel to Ohio and Pennsylvania each year and always visit the farmlands and stores. If you have never had this experience in Holmes County, Ohio or Lancaster, Pennsylvania, you should visit both places. Most of the Amish stories are based on these two places so if you enjoy reading the stories, then you would certainly enjoy visiting these two places!